Fifth objection
It is concluded from this tradition that this Harith was a Muslim as he had confessed to the five principles of Islam, and it is necessary that no Muslim should have been punished during the period of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.).
Reply
This tradition – just as it proves his being a Muslim, also proves his apostasy, because of refuting the statement of Prophet and doubting what Almighty Allah had informed and divine chastisement did not descend on him while being a Muslim, on the contrary, he was involved in it after denial and apostasy, because after listening to the statement of the Prophet, he doubted in the prophethood of His Eminence.
In addition to that there were some individuals among Muslims as well, who were involved in divine chastisement, which was hinted at in its tradition in reply to objection number three.
Muslim, in his Saheeh1 has narrated from Salma bin Akwa that a man was eating with his left hand in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and the latter told him to eat with the right hand. He said: “I cannot do that.” The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) cursed him and said: “You will never be able to.” And from that time [due to his obstinacy to the Prophet] he was unable to lift his right hand to his mouth.
Sixth objection
Harith bin Noman is not famous among the companions and in Istiab, Ibne Abde Barr and also Ibne Manda and Abu Nuaim Isfahani and Abu Moosa in his writings about the names of companions, have not mentioned his name. Hence, the existence of such a person becomes doubtful and it is not confirmed for us.
Reply
Books written about companions of Prophet do not contain the names of all of them. Every author has compiled them on the basis of information he was able to collect. When later writers searched through these books and sources, they managed to find new names, and added them to the names collected previously;2 so, denial of a single person that a name not mentioned in such books, is out of the pale of justice and far from rules of debate and discussion.
Also, it is most likely that writers of books about companions did not mention his name due to his apostasy later in life.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَبٍ مُّنِيرٍ
“And among men is he who disputes in respect of Allah though having no knowledge nor guidance, nor a book giving light.” 3